The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • Flooding: Edo, ECOWAS re-strategise on disaster management

    … as Obaseki charges councils on sensitisation

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state is partnering with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria to strengthen strategies for effective flood management and other related disasters.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, disclosed this while declaring open a two-day Planning Workshop for State Governments on Flood Emergency Management themed: Building Flood Resistant Communities, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said the workshop was holding at a time the state is battling flooding as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the National Hydrological Agency for 2018.

    Assuring that the workshop would assist in developing effective preventive strategies to manage flood disasters, he said, “There is no doubt that there is a great possibility of altering the pervading circumstance of flood disaster for the better, through concerted efforts such as this nature.

    “Owing to what has been experienced in the past and very recently, there is the need for a shift in old beliefs and approaches. We must have robust plans about how to mitigate the effects of natural disasters on us and our environment; even when we cannot do much about stopping such natural occurrences.”

    Obaseki urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to fashion out the best management strategies, adding that the resolution from the workshop would further strengthen established action plan on managing flood and other related hazards in the state.’

    Read Also: Edo shuts 10 illegal burrow pits

    The governor tasked local government chairmen and community leaders to take the workshop seriously as it would assist them in sensitising the people on the importance of adopting practices to safeguard the environment.

    Head, Taskforce ECOWAS Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the workshop is necessary to ensure that the incident of 2012 does not re-occur, noting that the workshop will help build capacities for resilience in communities at risk of flooding.

    “The main objective of this initiative is to enhance the response capacity of member states to security threats as a way to boost our conflict prevention architecture,” he said.

    Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, said the stakeholders’ workshop is laudable and expressed confidence that at the end of the sessions, the state will be better prepared to manage flooding.

    Edo State Chairman of Red Cross Society, Mr.  Festus Alenkhe commended the organisers and maintained that there was need for stakeholders to discuss and fashion effective disaster management strategies.

     

  • TCN raises capacity with 60MVA transformer in Edo, Ogun

    In line with the Buhari administration’s policy on incremental power, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has again successfully completed the installation of two units of 60MVA 132/33kV power transformers at Papelanto and Okpella Transmission Substations in Ogun and Edo States respectively.

    The 60MVA transformer in Okpella will be commissioned by the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on September 22, part of ceremony in his honour by his ancestral home, Igara Community in Edo State.

    Read Also:TCN’s capacity is 4,000mw not 7,000mw, say DisCos

    The 60MVA at Papalanto will be commissioned by the Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN at a later date.

    The 60MVA power transformer installed at Okpella, is long overdue and will greatly support the industrial policy of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, which is based on the existence of huge deposit of limestone and other solid minerals in the area. Already BUA Cement has a factory at Okpella which could be expanded with improved power supply.

    According to the statement issued by TCN General Manager Public Affairs Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, prior to the new installation, the capacity of Okpella Substation was only 15MVA and has now increased to 75MVA with the installation of a 60MVA power transformer. Consequently, several communities including Okpella, BUA Cement Company, Aghenebode Town and environs, who are customers of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, are expected to experience improved power supply.

    Also, the capacity of Papalanto Substation was 75MVA before the new 60MVA power transformer was installed. The additional transformer has increased the stations capacity to 132MVA. Electricity users in Ilaro, Lapeleke, Sango, Onihale and environs in in Ogun State who are customers of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company are expected to experience improved power supply. Potential eligible customers such as Lords Mint and Dolphin could also benefit from the increased supply.

    TCN noted that several projects are currently on-going in its network nationwide and re-affirmed its resolve to continue to pursue and implement the incremental power policy of the Federal Government by consistently investing in capacity expansion initiatives through its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program (TREP). TCN expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Power Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola for providing the needed leadership under which the company has continued to achieve laudable milestones.

  • Technical College to issue int’l certificates in industry

    …as reconstruction work progresses

     

    The Edo State Government has said that the ongoing revamp of the Government Science and Technical College (GSTC), formerly known as Benin Technical College is to position the college to offer quality Technical and Vocational Education and Trainings (TVET) that meet global standards.

    Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing reconstruction work at the facility, the State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Christopher Adesotu, said that on completion, the college will groom technical hands with international certification and industry-relevant skills.

    He said government is pleased with the pace of work at the college, noting that it serves as one of the legacy projects of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

    “I am satisfied with the progress of the reconstruction work done so far. When I came here about five months ago, the level of work was not up to this. The rehabilitation programme includes construction of two blocks of 24 classrooms, which is progressing smoothly.”

    Read Also: Akeredolu restores power supply in Ondo towns

    He disclosed that the state government has employed more vocational and technical teachers who will be deployed to the college and added that the curriculum of the college is being redesigned to meet global standards, with input from development partners like the World Bank.

    “We want to have a situation that when you graduate from this technical college, you would have gotten the required training and skills to start your own company,” he assured.

    Adesotu commended the employment of 10 graduates from the college by Segato Limited, the contractor handling the project.

  • Flooding: ECOWAS, Edo Govt meet to mitigate impact

    The Edo State Government has rescheduled the two-day National Planning Workshop for Flood Emergency Response and Management for September 17 and 18.

    The government is organizing the workshop in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria.

    In a statement, the state government said the workshop, themed Building Flood Resistant Communities, will hold at the Government House and will help in synergising with development partners on strategies to avert diseases arising from flooding.

    Read Also: Edo hosts stakeholders for Industrial Policy validation

    The event will feature a number of issues on flooding and disaster management, including update on the states’ efforts to mitigate flood incidents; review of the 2018 Seasonal Rainfall prediction; and take a look at the 2018 Annual Flood Outlook.

    The workshop will also set up a technical committee on vulnerability assessment of the states.

    Expected at the event are state governors, state commissioners of relevant ministries; chairmen of local governments; recognized traditional rulers; international organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), stakeholders in emergency management, research centers and institutions of higher learning.

  • Int’l Day of Democracy: Obaseki tasks actors on development-focused policies

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has saluted promoters of democracy across the world for defending a system of government that allows people to forge their destinies through popular participation in governance.

    Obaseki who said this on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, celebrated on September 15, each year, noted that “democracy has proven effective in aggregating the needs and developmental aspirations of the people as well as in allocating resources to all segments of the electorates.”

    The governor advised political actors and leaders to “Use the international day of democracy to reflect on how much impact we have made in the lives of the people that voted us into power.”

    He added: “Our policies and programmes must be designed to address the developmental challenges facing the electorates and the ideals of democracy such as the rule of law, political freedom and tolerance of dissenting views and opinions as well as legal equality must be upheld.”

    Obaseki argued that “the major task before democratic leaders is to put aside issues that are extraneous to development and focus on human upliftment and progress, more so in developing countries.”

    He maintained that this year’s theme – “Democracy under Strain; Solutions for a Changing World” dovetails with his administration’s conviction that more women and young people must be given more roles to play in governance.

    “We are resolute about mainstreaming women’s issues in governance and we firmly believe that we cannot continue to undermine women and the youths in our policy design, considering the fact that participation in governance is strictly a matter of human right and with the growing population of women and the youths, we run a great risk if we do not allow them their space.”

    Read Also: Obaseki deepens basic education reform

    The governor said: “We currently have 18 female senior special assistants and a special adviser on gender issues in Edo State, in addition to the other female appointees on my cabinet. I made these appointments to bring women’s issues to the table. We created EdoJobs to address the issues of unemployment and unemployability and so far, the outcomes have been impressive.”

    He stressed that his administration is committed to progressive ideas to keep pace with emerging issues in democratic governance and assured that no segment of Edo people and residents will be left behind in the delivery of the dividends of democracy.

    According to the United Nations “This year’s International Day of Democracy is an opportunity to look for ways to invigorate democracy and seek answers to the systemic challenges it faces.

    “This includes tackling economic and political inequalities, making democracies more inclusive by bringing the young and marginalized into the political system, and making democracies more innovative and responsive to emerging challenges such as migration and climate change.”

    The organisation said that with this year’s 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Day of Democracy is also an opportunity to highlight the values of freedom and respect for human rights as essential elements of democracy.

    “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that ‘the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government’ (article 21.3), has inspired constitution-making around the world and contributed to global acceptance of democratic values and principles. Democracy, in turn, provides the natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights.

    “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development addresses democracy in Sustainable Development Goal 16 recognizing the indivisible links between peaceful societies and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions,” the global body added.

  • Obaseki revs up industrialisation drive with new policy

    …Prioritises employment generation, incentives for businesses

    Efforts to deepen the ongoing industrialisation drive of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration received a boost on Thursday in Benin City, the state capital, as development experts met to review the Edo State Industrial Development Policy.

    Welcoming stakeholders to the state’s ‘Industrial Policy Validation Workshop’ Obaseki noted that since he assumed duty, his focus has been on driving holistic development through policies that would engender sustainable economic growth.

    He told the workshop participants that his administration is committed to developing a modern state where citizens will be empowered through initiatives that will prioritise employment creation, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Economic and Development planning, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, maintained that the ongoing reforms in all sectors of the state were designed to eliminate barriers in the ease of doing business.

    “Our administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders such as the federal government and members of the organised private sector to achieve our set goals, like the reduction of unemployment to below 15 per cent and creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.”

    Read Also: Obaseki attracting foreign investment to Edo – Osagie

    He assured that his administration is developing a modern state where citizens will be empowered to become employers of labour, adding that the state is well on her way to becoming a reference point in creating young entrepreneurs.

    Dr. Omo Aregbeyen, one of the experts working on the Edo State Industrial Development Policy, described the industrial sector as a key driver for increasing growth rates, generation of employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth and development.

    He said the workshop was put together to validate the proposed industrial framework for the state, and explained that the vision of the governor Obaseki-led government “is to transform Edo State from a producer of primary goods into a producer of processed valued-added goods for both the domestic and export market.”

    The Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Employment and Cooperatives, Emmanuel Usoh, commended participants for their support for the government and urged them to produce a framework that will guide the state in her journey to becoming one of the richest states in the country.

  • Obaseki deepens basic education reform

    …unveils 7,000 newly trained digital teachers

     

    To consolidate on the gains recorded in the basic education sub-sector in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki will on October 6 unveil 7,000 newly trained digital teachers in the teachers’ professional development programme of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) initiative.

    Executive Chair Designate, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, (SUBEB) and Special Adviser to the governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said that the government is advancing rapidly with its reform of the basic education sub-sector.

    According to Dr. Osa Oviawe, “The graduation ceremony which will hold at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Benin City, is an opportunity to highlight the governor’s vision to re-enact basic education in Edo State through the Edo-BEST programme.”

    She explained that “since the launch of Edo-BEST Programme in April, 2018, no fewer than 7000 head teachers and teachers have moved from analogue to digital teaching, using tablets and smart phones. 612 public primary schools have been captured in the programme, with over 150,000 pupils billed to benefit. In addition, over 800,000 textbooks are being deployed across the 612 schools currently.”

    Read Also: Obaseki lauds charitable bodies’ work in North East

    The graduation ceremony she added, will hold at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Benin City.

    She further said that the ceremony was planned to coincide with the International Teachers day, on October 5, and would serve as a means to join teachers across the world in celebrating the contribution of teachers to development and also acknowledge the place of technology in the classroom of tomorrow.

    Recall that Governor Godwin Obaseki in April launched the Edo-BEST programme, where 2, 000 teachers were unveiled after participating in the pilot phase of the programme.

    An initiative of the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration, Edo-BEST is aimed at developing a highly-skilled teaching workforce by training, supporting and motivating Edo State teachers to succeed in the classroom of tomorrow and enhance the Edo State Basic Education curriculum thereby empowering children to compete effectively in the world of work.

    The programme is already transforming the basic education delivery systems in Edo State, by leveraging technology in education provision and utilizing accurate and timely data to drive policy and planning decisions.

  • Edo hosts stakeholders for Industrial Policy validation

    To set a definite course for its industrialisation drive, the Edo State government will be hosting stakeholders in the industrial sector, comprising trade unions, chambers of commerce and manufacturers, to a validation session for the newly drafted Edo Industrial Development Policy on Thursday.

    The Focal Person for the Edo Industrial Policy and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Investment Promotion, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, in a statement, said the session would serve to engage stakeholders in the sector especially the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria – Edo/Delta branch, Miners Association of Nigeria Edo branch, Edo Exporters Clusters, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists Edo branch, Technology Incubation Centre Edo State chapter and the Edo International Business Forum.

    He said the document is being developed in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), to ensure that the industrial base is built on international best practice.

    Read Also: Flood sacks another seven communities in Edo

    According to him, “We are holding this session after we had sent out draft copy of the Edo Industrial Development Policy to the stakeholders for review. This will serve to aggregate their views and critically review the document before we arrive at the final policy.

    “All these stakeholders were consulted and we believe it will be of immense benefit to have them look at it for the last time. This is because the Edo state government is keen and sincere in its plan to build an inclusive industrial base that everybody will benefit from and contribute to.”

    The policy is the brainchild of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to reset the state’s economy for growth and expansion.  In the run up to the development of the policy, Obaseki, who is pushing hard on big-ticket projects, noted that “steps that have been taken by our administration are in line with the state’s well-articulated industrial development policy which will support increasing growth rates, generation of sufficient employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth and development.”

     

  • Obaseki urges actionable strategies as experts fine-tune Edo Environment Policy

    …flooding, deforestation top validation session

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday charged environment experts to fast-track work on the Edo State Environment Policy that was tabled for validation at the expert session in Benin City, the state capital.

    The policy document which was prepared in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), according to Obaseki, would address environmental issues such as flooding, deforestation, amongst others.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Dr. Felix Iyalumhe, who shared the governor’s expectations, explained at the one-day validation workshop for ‘Edo Environment Policy,’ that the state was working with critical stakeholders on the last lap of the policy, with a view to having a document that will help create a safer and cleaner state.

    Iyalumhe added that residents of the state would benefit from the implementation of the policy as it would address the issue of flash floods and other environmental challenges being faced in the state.

    The National Programme Officer, UNIDO, Mr Reuben Bamidele, noted that human activities have continued to pose a great deal of threat to the sustainability of the environment.

    Read Also: Obaseki finalises investment with Chinese firms

    Bamidele assured that when developed, the Edo Environment policy would checkmate the activities that cause environmental degradation in the state.

    “Edo is currently being faced with challenges  of erosion, deforestation especially with the furniture business in the state; the forest is gradually being eroded.

    “In the area of agriculture, the effect of bush burning and use of agrochemicals also pose a threat to the environment; these are challenges the state has to tackle. The environment policy is needed to mitigate their impact,” he added.

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Mr Brai Emoedume, explained that the essence of the workshop was to validate the input of stakeholders in the policy.

    “Environment is key to human existence, hence the need to have a framework to coordinate activities happening within it. We should consider the environment as something we are holding in trust for our children and protect it,” the permanent Secretary said.

  • Sales intensify for EDPA’s Emotan Gardens

    …as demand chases available units

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s affordable housing programme has stirred a mild revolution in the state’s real estate sector, as increased confidence in the administration has led to a rush for units in the state government-backed 1800-unit Emotan Gardens housing project.

    Emotan Gardens, an ambitious affordable real estate project, is being developed by the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) and MIXTA Africa, a renowned real estate company in Africa.

    Receiving interim report of the state government’s outing at the 27th Edo National Association Worldwide (ENAW) Convention in Toronto, Canada, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, expressed his delight at the endorsement of the Edo community in the diaspora for the housing project.

    “I am glad that the Emotan Gardens project resonated with our people in the diaspora. We have several other projects in other sub-sectors of the state’s economy that have been carefully designed to improve the wellbeing of all Edo people, irrespective of where they currently reside,” the governor said.

    Executive Chairman, EDPA, Isoken Omo, said since sales commenced for units in Emotan Gardens, the agency has been inundated with calls from different parts of the world, noting that the overwhelming response is as a result of the seamless and trustworthy mechanism set up to manage the process.

    Read Also: Obaseki attracting foreign investment to Edo – Osagie

    “The demand is pursuing the units available. It has mostly come from Edo people in the state and in the Diaspora, particularly at the just-concluded Edo National Association Worldwide (ENAW) convention in Canada, where Edo sons and daughters bought many units.

    “The local diaspora, that is Edo people in other states of Nigeria, are also snapping up units. Non-indigenes from other states have joined in the rush for the houses. So, anyone who is yet to make their intention known should do so as soon as possible,” she urged.

    She attributed the demand to the solid land reforms of the Obaseki-led administration; transparency in land allocation and collection of titles which is spearheaded by the Edo Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) agency, and the absence of middlemen in the sales of the housing units in the Emotan Gardens project, as against the old system where those in the diaspora lost monies through friends and relatives.

    According to her, “The confidence in this administration is one of the reasons for the impressive response we have received. There is also the assurance that monies invested in the project are being judiciously utilized due to the integrity of our partner, MIXTA Africa, as well as Governor Godwin Obaseki’s sincerity.”